The members have a secret handshake, insider information into top-secret projects, and the opportunity to contribute to Vallejo”s art community.

The people of Obtainium Works, a Vallejo steampunk-based art workshop, are inviting the public to be part of the “Order of Cthulhu.”

The Pennsylvania Street workshop opened in March, 2012.

For as little as $5 to as much as $10,000 annually, members can be part of the growing art community in Vallejo.

The membership money will go to the various projects and events that Obtainium Works presents in Vallejo, including the annual Mad Hatter Holiday Parade, Obtainium Cup Contraptor”s Rally, and Haul-o-ween. The crew also collaborates with other area organizations.

“I think for us it”s a matter of being able to make a larger community to support art in Vallejo,” said Kathy O”Hare, the one half of the husband-and-wife duo that founded Obtainium Works.

As an example, O”Hare said the money will offset the gas cost for the art cars featured in the holiday parade. Parts of the contribution will also go toward a future art fountain, hoped to be installed in the new St. Vinnie”s Community garden.

As to the name, Cthulhu is an octopus monster created by H.P. Lovecraft, a science fiction writer in the 1940s, explained O”Hare”s husband, Shannon.

“Cthulhu has been regarded as a pet in the steampunk genre,” Shannon O”Hare said.

For many years, Shannon O”Hare has been wearing a badge of an octopus made by his brother.

“We have so many people interested in what we are doing and want to participate,” he said. Over the years, Shannon O”Hare has also given out similar badges to other people for their “bravery above and beyond the call of duty in your own creation.”

“So I thought naming it the ”Order of Chtulu” is fitting,” he said. “It”s in keeping with the steampunk genre… but being true as a civic organization, it is to raise money to support art in Vallejo.

“It is also a parody or poking fun on the Masonic Orders, a very Victorian concept,” he said.

Members will get VIP access to events, discounts on sponsored events and other perks, according to the yearly contribution.

“It”s just a good way to have fun, doing what we are already doing,” Shannon O”Hare said. “We are just giving it a name, and we get to wear badges and weird hats.”